iRIDE has been going for a while at macrobert, and we have some good movies heading towards Stirling in the next months. The first one will be at macrobert’s filmhouse this Wednesday 19 October at 7.30pm. If you are a keen mountain biker like me, or even a freerider (I am not there yet), you might know the ongoing argument about who owns the forest. Pedal Driven is a bikumentary that digs deeper into the issue, following freeriders in Washington always on the lookout for rangers threatening their trails. The film will give a good insight into both sides and their arguments and take you behind this confrontation, trying to offer a solution how opposing fractions can find common ground in the defence of the beauty of hills and forests. Knowing from experience how difficult that or any consensus can be when it comes to mountain biking, I am interested in the answers the film might have, as the trailer ends with a pretty bold statement: more than a movie, a movement. I am keen to find out myself, and the take the mountain bike out for a ride! Read more of this post

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macrobert’s new cinema brochure for November and December is on the shelves now, jam packed and full of great films for everyone to enjoy. From the latest blockbusters to well known classics, entertaining family films, interesting and inspiring documentaries and last but not least; foreign cinema which boasts award-winning films from all corners of the globe, it truly makes for a fascinating cinema experience for all. There are even lots of deals to suit all pockets and special showings during the upcoming school holiday in November.

Here are some films highlights showing in the Norman McLaren film house in the next two months.

Feature Films at macrobert:

After opening the Edinburgh International Film Festival to critical acclaim this year, Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist is an old-style, hand-drawn animation that brings to life scenes from Scotland in the 1950s with eerie directness (Friday 5 – Sun 7 November, times vary).

Burke and Hare is a black comedy based on the true story about the famous Edinburgh body-snatchers Burke and Hare, starring Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis alongside Isla Fisher (Friday 17 – Tuesday 21 December).

In Tamara DrewestarringGemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper,life for the locals is thrown upside down when Tamara Drewe sashays back into the village of her buolic youth having transformed from an ugly duckling intoa devastating beauty (Friday 5 – Sunday 7 November).

Samson and Deliah, a love story, but not in the traditional sense see a young couple turn their back on a their remote isolated Aboriginal community to find that life is hard and not always fair, but love never judges (Monday 9 – Tuesday 9 November).

Made in Dagenham, tells the real story of the cataslyst that led to the 1968 Ford Dagenham strike by sewing machinists which led to the advent of the Equal Pay Act, directed by Calendar Girls director Nigel Cole and with an all-star British cast, includingSally Hawkins as Rita O’Grady (Friday 12 – Thursday 18 November).

Winner of best British Film at the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Skeletons is a darkly fanciful British comedy with shades of Terry Gilliam and Charlie Kaufman. When two exorcists literally remove the skeletons from the cupboards from people’s homes, some fairly embarrassing secrets are revealed along the way (Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 November).

Movies for the Whole Family at macrobert:

There are plenty of family films on during the special school holiday in November including Alpha & Omega is an animated film about two mismatched wolves who embark on a cross-country quest to get back home and restore peace in their pack, after being after being relocated thousands of miles away by well-meaning park rangers (Monday 9 – Tuesday 8 November). The race is on to save the world in the Race to Witch Mountain. When a cab driver finds two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain (Wednesday 10 November at 1.30pm). The final instalment of the Harry Potter saga is the long anticipated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the seventh and final part of the Harry Potter novels on big screen (Friday 3 – Wednesday 8 December).

Foreign Cinema at macrobert – Retrospective:

In a special event we celebrate the life and work of André Téchiné, who is noted for his elegant and emotionally charged films that often delve into the complexities of the human condition and emotions. His film Loin(Far Away) is the story of Serge (Stephane Rideau), a French truck driver who after delivering truck loads in Morrocco makes visits to has Girlfriend and best friend. Loin, from French director André Téchiné, examines the relationships between these three very independent twenty-something people, showing how their various desires in life conflict because of citizenship, employment, class differences, as well as personal outlook Monday 29 November at 6.30pm. Director André Téchiné will be also attending this screening and will participate in a post screening discussion regarding his work.

Mike Leigh – Featured Director in November:

macrobert is proud to present to you the work of Mike Leigh, an award-winning screenwriter and playwright who was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1943. This November we present you some of his most notable works including the Golden Lion winner Happy-Go-Lucky (Thu 11 November at 8.15pm), Vera Drake ( Mon 22 November at 7.30pm), which was named the best film of 2008 by New York Press film critic Armond White, and his newest movie Another Year (Friday 10 – Sunday 12 December), which premiered to critical acclaim at the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival this year.

Macrobert Documentaries:

We have collected some real documentary gems this winter including Chasing Legends and The Wildest Dream amongst many more. Chasing Legends on Thursday 25 November at 8.15pm takes you on a journey of the greatest sporting events in the Tour de France. With a stunning array of HD cameras, poignant and touching interviews, Chasing Legends will take viewers deeper into the pro peloton than ever on a roller coaster ride of action, story and emotion.

Our next gem The Wildest Dream is the feature documentary with astonishing visuals Anthony Geffen tells the story of George Mallory, who was obsessed with becoming the first person to conquer the untouched Mount Everest. 75 years later, climber Conrad Anker returns to Everest with British climbing prodigy Leo Houlding to unravel the mysteries surrounding his disappearance (Thursday 16 December at 8.15pm).

New Cinema Deals:

*The Film Four Pack (choose any four films; tickets must be bought at the same time): full price £16/concession £12.

*Tuesday and Thursday Cinema Meal Deal for £10:

Make your visit to macrobert the perfect night out! Our Cinema Meal Deal is one of the best bargains around. Between 5.00pm and 8.00pm you can get your cinema ticket, a meal and a drink for only £10. Choose from our exciting menu, treat yourself to a glass of wine, a bottle of beer or a soft drink and enjoy the movie!

Don’t miss out on all this great film, all trailers for each film is available on the macrobert website where you can also book your tickets and get more info. You can call us on 01786 466666, email us or pop in and see us for any enquiries!

Whether you’re team Edward or team Jacob; or maybe you just don’t care? Whatever your choice the Twilight cast are back with their third instalment of the series, Eclipse.

Bella (Kristin Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger (she seems to have a habit of doing this) as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and malicious vampire, Victoria, continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner), knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the feud between vampire and werewolf.

From watching the previous Twilight films and reading all the books I did query how they could fit so much detail into a two hour film. The end result was a film very quick to cram in crucial detail and rush to the end, eagerly jumping at the next chapter in the story. I felt Jacob and his tribe weren’t given as much depth in the film as they did in the book. Also at times I found myself cringing during the romantic love scenes between Edward and Bella as they proclaimed their ever dying and ever lasting love for each other! They are only teenagers! Well Edward is slightly older in attitude if you include all those vampire years.

However, even though I did find it rushed and a bit corny, I did enjoy it and thought the actions scenes were incredible to watch as they were shot brilliantly; especially the overhead shots of the Forks location. Anyone who has followed the films or the books, it is inevitable – you will and have to go see it. After all you are closer to finding out the question of everyone’s lips; Jacob or Edward?

Me? I defiantly prefer Jacob – he may be a bit young for me but who’s complaining? Not with a body like that! Then again that might be the other reason so many people flock to see it…

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is showing at the macrobert from Friday 23rd July – Thursday 29th July. For more information or to book tickets phone the box office on 01786 466666.

Nanny McPhee (Thompson) arrives to help a harried young mother (Gyllenhaal) who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war, though she uses her magic to teach the woman’s children and their two spoiled cousins’ five new lessons.